Kevin Sheedy: ‘The AFL do have a problem’ with its expansion clubs

Former AFL footballer and supercoach Kevin Sheedy says “the AFL do have a problem” when it comes to the draft system.

The issue has heavily impacted the AFL’s most recent expansion clubs the Gold Coast Suns and the GWS Giants.

It is largely due to both clubs previous struggles to retain a number of highly rated youngsters, many of whom were top 10 draft picks.

Sheedy says the AFL need to address the issue which has left both clubs vulnerable.

“The AFL do have a problem,” Sheedy said.

“I think any area where the AFL decision makers make rules on drafting – if teams keep specifically taking players out of these newly developed clubs, then they definitely should get draft concessions better than anyone to make it a deterrent.”

In recent years, the Gold Coast have lost the likes of Josh Caddy, Jaeger O’Meara, Dion Prestia and Charlie Dixon, while Tom Lynch is also set to depart.

Similarly, the Giants have also seen Will Hoskin-Elliott, Taylor Adams, Tom Boyd and most notably, Adam Treloar move to rival clubs.

Sheedy did acknowledge the Gold Coast got it wrong early in their establishment.